Transcription:
3 utter ruin rottenness like a stranded jellyfish trampled decomposed. To argue with a dead man would be more hopeful labor
that with John P. As to the sawmill business In the spring of 1868 I made my first visit to the valley wh lasted 8 or 10 days,
then returned to the San Joaquin plains worked in the harvest field to earn a little money. In the fall being anxious to see
more of the valley I returned to it just before winter set in walking all the way up the mountains. I wanted to stay in the
valley all winter for the sake of seeing it in its crystal garb was therefore anxious to obtain